Novels online

Chapter 206: The Little Train Departs

After exchanging greetings, they turned to the main order of business.

Dian Dengzi clasped his fists in greeting. "Master Bai led me to this place, claiming that three thousand of our kin from Qingjian County could find refuge and live here. So I came to see for myself."

Gao Yiye smiled. "The Heavenly Lord has already made arrangements. Please, follow me."

She led the way, with Dian Dengzi and his two subordinates, Bai Yuan, San Shier, Tan Liwen, and the others following close behind. Soon, the group arrived at the "Gao Family Village Train Station."

It was a small, colorful plastic building, recently placed there, vibrant and eye-catching. Naturally, the ticket booth inside was empty; no one was selling tickets.

An empty track lay before the station. The little train wasn't there at the moment.

Seeing the strange, colorful building and the equally strange, colorful tracks, Dian Dengzi looked utterly bewildered. "Young lady, why have you brought me to this place?"

Gao Yiye replied, "There's no rush. Just a moment."

The last time Bai Yuan visited Gao Family Village, the little train hadn't appeared yet. But he had already surmised it was a divine artifact bestowed by the Heavenly Lord, so he patiently waited, suppressing his questions.

Soon, a simulated "woo-woo" of a whistle echoed from afar. This was a rule Li Daoxuan had strictly enforced: the little train had to sound its horn before entering the station, to prevent anyone from foolishly playing on the tracks.

After the "woo-woo," came the rhythmic "chug-chug-chug" sound as a massive, multicolored train, pulling over a dozen carriages, rolled into the station.

This extraordinarily long and huge vehicle left even Bai Yuan, who had some mental preparation, gaping. To say nothing of Dian Dengzi and his two subordinates.

All three stared dumbfounded, utterly slack-jawed, as if they might drool.

The train came to a steady halt before them. Two drivers sprang from the locomotive, locked its doors, and then bowed to Gao Yiye, San Shier, and the others. "Saintess, Manager San, are you waiting for the train here?"

Gao Yiye smiled. "We have guests in the village. The Heavenly Lord has arranged for them to take the train to the Valley of Exiles. You two, quickly prepare for departure." The two drivers swiftly ran to the other end of the train, scrambled into the locomotive, and prepared to drive.

Gao Yiye turned to the still-stunned Dian Dengzi and his men. "Gentlemen, please board the train."

Dian Dengzi snapped awake. "You... you want us to... board this vehicle?"

Gao Yiye chuckled. "Indeed. Don't you want to try riding such a lovely vehicle?"

Dian Dengzi wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead. "Such a mighty and terrifying behemoth... and you describe it as 'lovely'? Have you... perhaps chosen the wrong word?"

Gao Yiye burst into laughter. "The word 'lovely' was spoken by the Heavenly Lord himself! He called it 'the lovely little train.' If the Heavenly Lord says so, I wouldn't dare change its description."

As they chatted merrily, a sudden "thump" echoed nearby. They looked over to see Bai Yuan sprawled on the ground, his body bent in a posture of complete dejection.

San Shier exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Bai, why have you suddenly fallen to your knees?"

Bai Yuan, still prone, wore an expression of profound sorrow. "Seeing this colossal vehicle before me, I realize my own skill in charioteering is utterly insignificant. That art of 'charioteering' among a gentleman's six arts... strike it out, strike it out!"

The others exchanged bewildered glances.

Suddenly, Bai Yuan sprang to his feet with a swish, dashing toward the locomotive. As he ran, he shouted, "You two drivers, allow me to follow and learn how to operate this vehicle!"

He ran incredibly fast, bursting into the locomotive and squeezing in with the two drivers.

Everyone else could only shake their heads.

No use arguing with that eccentric fellow, they decided.

Everyone boarded the train and settled into the carriages.

The plastic seats in the carriage they boarded were quite rudimentary, but for Dian Dengzi and his companions, such trifles were of no consequence. All three pressed their faces against the windows, gazing outside with astonished expressions.

With a "woo-woo" whistle, the train started, chugging out of Gao Family Village Train Station and heading towards the Valley of Exiles Train Station.

Soon, the train sped through fields of wheat, the ripe ears blurring past the windows. The sixty-mile-an-hour wind whipped across their faces, invigorating them.

Dian Dengzi and his two subordinates instantly felt their spirits soothed by the motion of the train.

"This magnificent vehicle is truly astounding!"

"What kind of divine place is this?"

A moment later, "Woo-woo!" The train whistled again, announcing their arrival at the Valley of Exiles.

The train stopped, and Gao Yiye led the way off. Dian Dengzi felt he hadn't ridden long enough and wished for more time, but with their hosts disembarking, he and his men reluctantly followed.

Gao Yiye gestured towards the small valley beside them. "Look here. These are the residences prepared for you."

Dian Dengzi hurried to the mouth of the valley and peered inside. His eyes widened in disbelief. The entire valley was filled with colorful houses, a large pond in the center, vibrant flowers, and trees. At both ends of the valley, two large gray fortresses protected the homes within.

"Such a wonderful place! Apart from the lack of farmland, there's nothing wrong with it at all."

Gao Yiye smiled. "You are new arrivals, so farmland is difficult to arrange. But you needn't worry; the Heavenly Lord will assign you tasks to ensure your livelihood is secure."

Dian Dengzi was already captivated by the residential valley before him, but a lingering doubt remained. "With three thousand of us arriving all at once, a large amount of grain will be consumed. I wonder if your village... if it..."

The rest of the sentence felt too shameful to utter. After a few seconds of hesitation, he sighed and finished, "...has enough grain to share with us?"

Indeed, it was a year of disaster. It wasn't a question of money, but of whether grain was available at all.

Without grain, even the most beautiful houses, the most impressive vehicles, the safest valleys, the most abundant crafts, or the greatest wealth in gold, silver, and copper coins... ultimately led to a dead end.

"You don't need to worry about that," Gao Yiye said with a laugh. "Go look at the building in the valley that clearly serves as a granary." Hearing this, Dian Dengzi quickly led his two subordinates into the valley. They soon found a conspicuous building, resembling a colossal haystack. Opening its plastic door, they peered inside...

Inside, a warehouse full of grain was piled high!

"This... so much?!"

Dian Dengzi felt as if his mind had been struck by lightning. This single granary held enough food to feed his three thousand kinsmen for a very, very long time.

Gao Yiye smiled. "Mr. Zhao, you don't need to worry now, do you?"

"Huh?" Dian Dengzi exclaimed in shock. "I never introduced myself as surnamed Zhao!"

He had deliberately concealed his true identity, using the alias Dian Dengzi, to avoid implicating his kin while venturing into the world. Only his fellow villagers from Qingjian knew his real name. Yet, this young woman had casually uttered "Mr. Zhao."

It thoroughly unnerved him.

Gao Yiye clarified, "Mr. Zhao Sheng, the Heavenly Lord is an immortal from the heavens. What's so strange about him knowing your true name?"